After She She Stopped Loving Him

Chapter 614: The Nerve

Nnenna didn’t even need to glance at it to know it was his phone number. So he’s actually serious? What a weird guy, she thought, blinking at him.

"Okay, ladies and gentlemen, this concludes the treatment," Darius announced, standing with theatrical flair. But not before flashing one last smile at the nanny by the door, and then letting his gTitan 205

To be honest, Yolanda felt she ought to call Ian and tell him to quit messing around–this was his job, and he needed to stick to an actor’s basic principles. If he wanted any future in showbiz, he had to handle all that came with it.

If he was planning to survive in the entertainment world, he’d just have to put up with it.

But why, of all people, did it have to be Joelle?

Simone was still saying something, but Yolanda tuned her out completely–her mind was elsewhere.

After hanging up, she got in her car. She’d planned to drop by Starlight, since the people blocking the entrance had finally cleared out. She’d already called the crew to fix the shattered glass doors.

Right at that moment, her phone lit up with a call from Charles.

Charles’s voice came through: “Aunt Simone’s putting together a hiking trip. Want to come blow off some steam?”

Ian had mentioned in passing that he’d probably show up too.

Simone would definitely invite a whole crew, and with things at Starlight finally calming down, Yolanda figured she might as well join the fun.

“Count me in,” Yolanda replied easily.

She hadn’t expected so many people–turns out, this wasn’t just any old hike. There was a full–blown resort at the top, and getting there meant a three–hour trek from the foot of the mountain, starting at 2 in the morning. If you made it to the summit in time, you’d catch the sunrise.

Yolanda did a quick walk–through at Starlight. As night settled in, her phone lit up with a message from Ian.

[You joining the hike?]

Then Leo reached out with a text of his own.

[Hey, you hiking or not? Just asking–no big deal.]

Yolanda ignored Leo and shot back a quick reply to Ian: [Yeah, I’m in.]

She enjoyed a hot shower, then, at one in the morning, jumped into Charles’s car and headed out to the base of the mountain.

When they got there, the whole area was brightly lit, and a crew of staff were already hanging around. They’d take the cable car up ahead of everyone to get breakfast ready at the top.

This mountain was privately owned. Normally, anyone could hike it, but when they closed the place off, it was strictly VIPs only.

Yolanda stepped out in black athletic gear, backpack slung over her shoulders, only to spot Joelle sporting matching black gear and the same backpack vibe.

Joelle was Oscar’s guest, and besides him, there were a few other famous directors in attendance, Simone included.

The rest of the crew were young elites who lived for this kind of thrill–mountain climbing was basically the hottest trend in their circle.

Charles, rarely seen in athletic gear, cast a glance at lan, who was standing next to Simone. He couldn’t help but frown, a slight crease forming between his brows.

Ian wasn’t looking at anyone, his mask covering most of his face, with only his indifferent eyes showing. He seemed completely silent and kept to himself.

Just as everyone was about to head out, Xavier and Quinn Cooper showed up, their voices ringing across the crowd.

Wow, so everyone’s going hiking and nobody bothered to call us? Lucky we got here before you left!” Xavier joked loudly.

Xavier yanked Leo over, remembering how his little brother had blurted to the Lawson family yesterday that he might be into someone. The whole family was hyped, demanding Xavier dig out this secret crush. With Leo suddenly way too keen on this hike, Xavier figured the girl he liked had to be among tonight’s crew.

He swept his eyes over the eight or nine women gathered there–first Yolanda was off the list, then Simone, both ruled out because, come on, they were on a totally different level, practically family.

After that, his gaze started sizing up the remaining six, lingering a bit longer as he tried to sniff out any clues.

Quentin showed up too–his eyes locked on Joelle from the very moment he arrived. It was old news that he used to have a crush on her; nobody even bothers to keep it under wraps anymore.

“These love triangles are just the same old story–boring,‘ Yolanda thought, totally uninterested. She fell in step behind Simone, ready to get this hike going.

There were five trails leading up the mountain, and with so many people here, everyone just broke off into little squads with their usual crew, planning to stick together for the climb.

Yolanda wasn’t really familiar with most of these folks, so she hung by Simone’s side, seriously picking her brain about the film business.

Charles was about to head over to Yolanda when Quentin called out, “Joelle, is your wrist still giving you trouble?”

Charles glanced in their direction, remembering that Joelle had only just been snatched by that lunatic Andrew yesterday. ‘And now she’s here climbing a mountain… She must’ve come for me,‘ he thought.

He frowned, staying put.

careful to keep a

-left or right?”

middle trail, and a flicker of irritation showed in his eyes- he hated

keeping his

whispering, “Joelle, let’s take the right

him, her eyes fixed on Charles, clearly waiting for his

to catch up, but she tripped hard–hadn’t even started climbing and

his voice full of concern.

a deep breath and said seriously, “Quentin, I’ve rejected you more times than I can count. Don’t put me on the spot. I can get to

limped to her feet, didn’t even look at

hurried up after her. “You don’t even have a manager with

Charles. “You not gonna help

7

A

was right there, catching Leo’s comment. His eyes narrowed in

wondered. ‘Is Leo

from the start. Now with Charles here, maybe he’s too

just waiting for a moment to

than enough guys chasing after Joelle, and Leo–man, he’s no Casanova. With that many rivals, he doesn’t stand

help out, but after Leo nudged him and saw Joelle still shutting Quentin down, he finally gave in and walked

me drive you,”

gave him a grateful–even slightly guilty–look. “Won’t you

off and get back before anyone even notices.” Charles

really

9:35 Sat Oct 25

Chapter 203

face fell, all the light gone

156 vouchers

isn’t Charles basically with Yolanda now? As

“Aren’t you going with

open Charles’s car door and pushed

you–don’t let Ms. Monroe

letting Charles know he liked Joelle too, so he was keeping his feelings on the down–low, and letting Xavier be

when did this kid get so low–key? Navier thought, a little

look that said, ‘Don’t worry, I’ve got your

just curled his lips in a smirk, thinking,

the trails, and with the car

linger shamelessly

seat. "What do

in that matter of fact tone that made people want to strangle him. "She’s not depressed. In fact, she’s taken this whole thing like it’s a

Carl froze, jaw tightening.

not because she’s going to break apart. No, it’s because you

landed

expect my payment in my account before I get to the airport," he called over his shoulder. "Oh, and I have a feeling this session benefitted more than just

The nerve.

cut through the

kept walking, only to bump

Darius," one of them said firmly,

firm hands, they ushered him right back into the dining

best friend is a smiling poison, the other is an iceberg armed with knives..." He trailed off, eyes narrowing slightly before he added in a quieter voice, "And once upon a time, there was the mountain, unshakable,

fell still for a beat. Even Darius’s mocking tone softened as he bowed his head slightly. "May his soul rest in peace," he said, genuine for once. The weight of the loss pressed against them all

"So," he asked lightly, glancing at Arthur, "what exactly

him as he picked up another dish and served himself calmly. "I want you to do what you were

in the air like a